Resolution Impala Saracens were the favourites heading to the Main Cup Quarters. After recovering from a surprise 5-7 defeat by Mean Machine, the Gazelles worked to beat Mombasa Sports Club 25-0 and snatch a win from KCB Lions in a Pool C match that ended 17-7. It was expected that Impala would overcome Menengai Oilers & coast to the Main Cup Semis but an interesting turn of events occurred. After a barren first half, Menengai Oilers’ Eric Ombasa scored against Impala. Dan Abuonji’s conversion attempt flew wide. Abuonji would however exploit a slight lapse in Impala defence, pierced through & scored the last try of the match. His subsequent attempt at gathering the extra two points blew short. Impala dropped to the 5th place final qualifier while Oilers proceeded to the Main Cup semis.
Nondies proved no match against Impala in the 5th place final qualifier. Paul Mutsami scored the first try at the corner flag after lovely interplay between him & captain Leon Adongo. Kwemoi’s attempt at the posts went short. Although Ian Mabwa saw the yellow card flash at his face after a high tackle, Nondies still could not pierce through Impala defence. While Mabwa was serving time in the naughty boy’s chair, Adongo dived over the whitewash. Kwemoi’s kicking never went between the posts. Samuel Motari scored a brace in between minutes. Kwemoi delayed in converting the first, necessitating the referee to deny him a chance to attempt gathering the extras. He also failed to convert the second. Resolution Impala Saracens would have closed the match with a Kwemoi try but the referee denied him the chance to register his name on the score-sheet: Both teams were clad in white and red. A dropped ball by a Nondies player in a tight angle seemed like an Impala knock on & the whistle rent the air to signal full-time. Impala had qualified to the 5th place final.
Kabras Sugar had packed a sevens contingent with big names but had to work harder than imagined in this match. Aluda Beda was first to go over for the sugar millers. Phillip Wokorach’s attempt at complementing his effort went short. Impala’s Mark Kwemoi brought the Gazelles back into the match, scoring a try. Robin Kiplang’at could have sent the Gazelles 2 points ahead but his boot struck away from target. Impressive was Impala’s defence all through the second half until the buzzer blew. A slight opening in defence and a missed tackle by Ian Mabwa gifted Wokorach a scoring opportunity. Wokorach went on to convert for a Kabras Sugar 5th place finish. Impala finished 6th.
Not all was lost for Impala though. It is worth noting that Ian Minjire was named in the Driftwood 7s Dream-Team!
The Resolution Impala Saracens technical bench might not have expected to come back to Nairobi ranked 6th, but optimism still bubbles from the team:
There are a lot of lessons we’ve learnt from Mombasa. This week, we embark on focusing for the next leg – Kabeberi 7s to be played on 9th & 10th September 2017. The fact that we are Kabeberi 7s defending champions should give us the impetus for much better performance. We resume training today – Monday 4th September.
